But we will then arm ourselves and go as an advance guard before the [other] Israelites, [fighting] until we have brought them to their homeland. Because of the area's inhabitants, our children will remain in fortified cities,

Moses said to them, 'If the entire special force of the Gaddites and Reubenites crosses the Jordan to fight with you, then when the land is conquered, you shall give them the Gilead area as their permanent property.

Ataroth This was later built up by Gad (Numbers 32:34). This is identified with the modern Attaruth, 7 miles east of the Dead Sea, 8 miles north of the Arnon, and 8 miles n.n.w. of Divon. Although it was built up by Gad, it eventually became part of Reuben's territory; see next note.

Ya'azer See Numbers 21:32. It was built up by Gad (Numbers 32:35), and became the border of their territory (Joshua 13:25) and a Levitical city (Joshua 21:37; 1 Chronicles 6:66).

Nimrah Or Beth Nimrah. This was built by Gad (Numbers 32:35), and became part of their territory (Joshua 13:27). It was also known as Nimrim (Isaiah 15:6, Jeremiah 48:35). In Roman times, it was called Bethennabris (Septuagint on Joshua 13:27; Eusebius), and in Talmudic times, Beth Nimrin (Targum) or Beth Namar (Peah 4:5). It is the modern Tel el-Bleibil or Tel Nimrin, on the Nimrin River near the modern Shunath Nimrin, 11 miles east of Jericho.

El'aleh A city built up by Reuben (Numbers 32:27), and part of the Reubenite territory. It is the present el-Al, around 2 miles northeast of Cheshbon (Eusebius; cf. Isaiah 15:4, 16:9, Jeremiah 48:34).

Sevam Also known as Sivmah (cf. Septuagint), a city built by the Reubenites (Numbers 32:38), and part of their territory (Joshua 13:19). A town near Cheshbon (cf. Isaiah 16:8,9; also see Jeremiah 48:32).

NeboN'bho in Hebrew. This was the mountain upon which Moses died (Deuteronomy 32:49; Targum). See Numbers, 27:12. It is the modern Neba at the northwest corner of the Dead Sea. It was built up by Reuben (Numbers 32:38).

Be'on Changed to Baal Meon and built by the Reubenites (Numbers 32:38), and known as Beth Baal Meon, part of their territory (Joshua 13:17). It is the modern Ma'in, 6 miles south of Mount Nebo (cf. 1 Chronicles 5:8), and midway between Nebo and Kiryathaim (cf. Jeremiah 48:23, Ezekiel 25:9). The Septuagint (on Ezekiel 25:9) translates it as 'Fountain City.'

Cluster Valley Nachal Eshkol. See Numbers, 13:23. From here, it appears that this is as far as they went.

Kenizite See Joshua 14:6,14; also note on 13:6. He was called a Kenizite because he was the stepson of Kenaz, that is, the son of Kenaz's wife (Rashi here and Sotah 11b, end). He was thus the step-brother of Othniel; cf. Joshua 15:17, Judges 1:13, 1 Chronicles 4:13. Also see Genesis 15:19, 36:11. The Septuagint translates Kenizi as 'the one set apart,' or 'the independent one.' On the basis of Semitic roots, Kenizi denotes a hunter or lone warrior.

half of the tribe of Manasseh Some say that although the original request came from Gad and Reuben, they did not have enough population to occupy the land, and therefore invited Manasseh to join them (Ramban; Abarbanel). The rest of Manasseh took land by lot with the other tribes (Joshua 17:2). According to others, however, Manasseh was involved in the original request (Josephus, Antiquities 4:7:3). See Numbers 32:39-42.

Aro'er The modern Ara'ir, just north of the Arnon, some 13 miles east of the Dead Sea (cf. Deuteronomy 2:36, etc.). It formed the southern boundary of Sichon's kingdom (Joshua 12:2), and of Reuben (Joshua 13:16), although it was actually in Gad's territory (Joshua 13:25).

Yagbehah Or Yogbehah. A place name (Targum), cf. Judges 8:11. This is a city some 19 miles east of the Jordan, 18 miles north of the Dead Sea, the modern Jubeihat. The Septuagint, however, translates this, 'and raised it (Ya'azer) up.'

Beth Haran Also known as Beth Haram. It was in the Abu Araba valley, half way between Cheshbon and the Jordan (cf. Joshua 13:27). In Roman times it was known as Betharamptha and Livias, and Herod renamed it Julias (Josephus, Antiquities 18:2:1). It is the site of the modern Tel Iktanu. See Genesis 11:26.

these names have been changed By Sichon when he took this territory from Moab (Ramban; Chizzkuni). Or by the Israelites when they conquered the territory (Rashi). Or, a proper name, 'Musaboth Shem,' so named because its heroes' names were engraved on its surrounding walls (Targum Yonathan). Or, 'Baal Meon, surrounded with walls' (Septuagint).

They gave these cities... (Ramban; Ralbag). Or, 'they gave [new] names to the cities that they built' (Rashi; Saadia); or, 'they named these cities after their builders.' (Targum Yonathan; cf. Septuagint).

Gilead See Numbers, 32:1. It is possible that Gilead was named after Makhir's son. According to some, Gilead had died by now (Midrash Aggadah).

Ya'ir, a grandson of Manasseh Actually a great-grandson. Chetzron (son of Peretz and grandson of Judah), married a daughter of Makhir and had a son Seguv, who was Ya'ir's father (1 Chronicles 2:22; Ibn Ezra; Ramban).

villagesChavoth in Hebrew. Consisting of small clusters of houses (Ibn Janach; Radak, Sherashim, s.v. Chayah). These were in the Argov region, to the south of the Yarmok (Deuteronomy 3:14). There were a total of 23 villages (1 Chronicles 2:23).

Chavvoth Ya'ir See Deuteronomy 3:14, Joshua 13:30, 1 Kings 4:13. Some say that he named the area after himself because he had no sons, only daughters (Midrash Aggadah).

Novach A descendant of Manasseh (Chizzkuni). He had been born in Egypt (Seder Olam Rabbah 9).

Kenath See 1 Chronicles 2:23. This is the modern Qanawat, some 42 miles east of the Kinnereth. In Roman times, it was known as Canatha (Josephus, Wars 1:19:2; Ptolemy, Geography 5:15, p. 139; Pliny 5:16).

Novach See Judges 8:11. This name, however, did not stick (Ruth Rabbah 5:5; Rashi). Some say that he gave it this name because he only had daughters, and no sons to carry his name (Midrash Aggadah).

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